tracked leaders, ridden approaching last, led flat, driven out
led, soon clear until 5th, headed 7th, ridden and weakened approaching 2 out
held up towards rear, weakened approaching 2 out
held up and keen, chased leaders after 3 out, one pace flat
tracked leader, led 7th, ridden and hit 2 out, headed flat, no extra
always behind
held up, chased leaders after 3 out, hit last, soon weakened
held up in touch and keen, effort approaching 2 out, soon weakened
A chance is taken with GASPARA ahead of Lake Legend and Stage Acclaim. The selection was a smart performer in her time and a Cheltenham Festival winner in 2007 but has mainly struggled since then over a variety of trips. The handicapper is slowly relinquishing his grip though and she may be worth chancing in this company with conditions to suit. Lake Legend has to put a poor return to action behind him but this could be less competitive and he's entitled to have improved for the run although he may not want conditions too testing. Stage Acclaim handles most ground and he has shown enough in a relatively short career over hurdles to believe that he can be a factor from his current mark whilst French Saulaie has shaped with a little more promise the last twice. Cantabilly is by no means out of this either but a chance is taken with Gaspara in the hope that she can return to winning ways.
Lake Legend 10-1 (11-0) Mid-division, headway 7th, weakened approaching 2 out, pulled up before last, in a race won by Trenchant (11-9) at Kempton 2m 5f hcp hdl (2) gd, 13 ran.
Gaspara (FR) 6-1 (11-6) Tracked leaders, driven after 3 out, soon weakened, 6th of 10, 16l behind Amber Brook (11-12) at Wincanton 2m 6f hcp hdl (2) gs.
Stage Acclaim (IRE) 16-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, ridden after 5 out, weakened before next, 9th of 16, 41l behind Tito Bustillo (10-12) at Chepstow 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Oct.
French Saulaie (FR) 10-1 (11-6) Held up towards rear, hampered bend after 7th, stayed on under pressure from 2 out until no extra flat, 8th of 24, 9l behind Lord Ragnar (11-1) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-110 (3) gs.
Cantabilly (IRE) 33-1 (11-5) Keen, close up, tracked leader, 3rd, led 5th, ridden clear approaching 2 out, headed last and one pace, 2nd of 9, 6l behind Kashmina (10-2) at Taunton 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft.
Aviatore (GER) 25-1 (11-5) In rear, headway 3 out, soon ridden, stayed on to chase winner approaching last, no chance, 2nd of 15, 14l behind Jocheski (11-0) at Taunton 2m 3f 4yo Am hcp hdl (4) gd.
Stagehand (IRE) 16-1 (11-1) Held up towards rear, headway 3 out, soon chasing leaders, never on terms, 5th of 14, 8l behind Viper (11-0) at Hereford 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gf in Jun '08.
Coup de Tabac (FR) 14-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, led 2nd, headed 4th, led again 6th, headed next, weakened 2 out, 5th of 15, 25l behind Jocheski (11-0) at Taunton 2m 3f 4yo Am hcp hdl (4) gd.
